Mechanically actuated pulser timer

ABSTRACT

A clutch selectively couples a first set of cams to a constant speed timer motor, the clutch being activated in response to the first set of cams and a second set of cams.

United States Patent [19] Stafford et a1.

[ Dec. 18, 1973 MECHANICALLY ACTUATED PULSER TIMER [75] Inventors: Richard W. Stafford, Clayton;

Maurice E. Schuder, Indianapolis, both of Ind.

[73] Assignee: P.R. Malloy & Co. Inc.,

Indianapolis, Ind.

221 Filed: May 15, 1972 211 Appl. No.1 253,286

[52] US. Cl 200/38 R, 307/141, 310/83,

318/540 [51] Int. Cl. H0111 43/10 [58] Field of Search; 200/35 R, 37 R, 38 R,

200/38 A, 38 FA, 38 PB, 38 F; 307/141,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,681,729 8/1972 Elders .1 200/38 R X 3,164,729 1/1965 Holzerm, 307/141 Primary ExaminerJ. R. Scott Attorney-Richard H. Childress et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A clutch selectively couples a first set of cams to a constant speed timer motor, the clutch being activated in response to the first set of cams and a second set of cams.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures MECHANICALLY ACTUATED PULSER TIMER This invention relates in general to a timing mechanism and in particular to a timing mechanism particularly adaptable for controlling a laundry dryer through a timed fabric treatment cycle.

Some automatic clothes dryers include an antiwrinkle control system that provides for rearranging and refluffing permanent press fabrics every few minutes if they are not removed from the dryer at the end of the automatic or timed drying period. More specifically, at the end of a permanent press cycle, a buzzer .sounds to remind a housewife, for example, that her clothes are ready. If she is busy or out of the home, the anti-wrinkle control starts the dryer at predetermined intervals, for example every five minutes and tumbles the clothes for a predetermined intervals, for example, seconds. At the end of each 10 seconds of tumbling, the dryer agains buzzes to remind the housewife to remove the clothes. The dryer continues to nag in this manner for a predetermined period of time, for example, up to two and one half hours. However, for the times illustrated, total running time for the dryer would only be 5 minutes.

One system that was used in providing an antiwrinkle portion of a drying cycle utilized a single timer motor which drove the main timer cams which sequentially operated the dryer, and a second cam which intermittently operated the dryer during the anti-wrinkle portion of the drying cycle, while the main timer cams were still running. With this system a large amount of angular space on the main timer cams was required for the anti-wrinkle portion.

Another system employed two timer motors. One motor drove the timer cams which sequentially operated the dryer at a constant speed, while a second pulser motor drove a cam to intermittently complete a circuit to the timer motor to advance the timer camns intermittentlyand to complete a circuit and intermittently cycle the main dryer motor operating the dryer and to run out the timer motor until a predetermined accumulative minutes of timer on time had expired.

Because of the decreasing amount of available space required in automatic clothes dryer operation and because of the increased amount of cost of the additional motor, it has become highly desirable to replace this conventional method of operation with a'system utilizing only the single timer motor.

The present invention, therefore, is concerned with a timing mechanism which is particularly adaptable to the operation of an automatic clothes dryer having an anti-wrinkle control system and has as one of its objects the provision of a timing mechanism which is neat, compact, and relatively low in cost.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a timing mechanism which is particularly adaptable to the operation of an automatic clothes dryer having an anti-wrinkle control system wherein a relatively small amount of angularspace on the timer cams is required for the anti-wrinkle portion of the timed cycle.

v Another object of the invention is the provision of a timing mechanism having timer cams driven by a timer motor through a clutch means, a second pulser" cam means continually connected to the motor, with the clutch means being engaged and disengaged in response to both sets of earn means.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a timer comprising first cam and switch means coupled to a motor through a clutch means, second cam and switch means coupled directly to the motor, and an actuator coupled to the clutch means and responsive to both the first and second cam means to selectively engage and disengage the clutch.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a laundry dryer having a fabric tumbling drum and a driving means for driving the drum through a timed fabric treatment cycle of operation including a drying portion and an anti-wrinkle portion with a timing mechanism energizing the driving means through the timed fabric treatment cycle, the time mechanism including a motor and first and second cam means, the first cam means actuating the drive means during the drying portion of the timed fabric treatment cycle, the second cam means intermittently energizing the drive means during the anti-wrinkle portion of the timed fabric cycle, and clutch means selectively engaging and disengaging the first cam means from the motor.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing the circuitry of a timing mechanism and its relationship to a laundry dryer;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the timing mechanism showing the relationship of the timer motor, a clutch, and its two sets of cams.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the laundry dryer with portions thereof being removed; and

FIG. 4 is a section through the timing mechanism.

Generally speaking, the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing in a laundry dryer having a fabric tumbling drum and a driving means for driving the drum through a timed fabric treatment cycle of operation including a drying portion and an antiwrinkle portion: a motor; first cam means responsive to the motor and first switch means responsive to the first cam means for actuating the driving means during the drying portion, second .cam means responsive to the motor and second switch means responsive to the second cam means for intermittently energizing the driving means during said anit-wrinkle portion of the timed fabric cycle; and clutch means selectively engaged and disengaged in response to the first and second cam means to selectively couple the first cam means to the motor during the drying portion of the timed fabric treatment cycle and following the drying portion, disengaging the first cam means from the motor, the second cam and switch means intermittently tumble the fabric during the anti-wrinkle portion of the timed fabric cycle, the second cam means further selectively coupling the first cam means to the motor to further energize and de-energize the drive means until completion of the timed fabric treatment cycle. I

More particularly, the timer of the present invention comprises a motor; a first speed reduction means and a clutch means selectively coupling the first speed reduction means to the motor; a first cam means coupled to the first speed reduction means and switch means responsive to the cam means; second speed reduction means coupled to the motor; a second cam means coupled to the second speed reduction means and switch means responsive to the second cam means; and an actuator coupled to the clutch means and responsive to the first and second cam means to selectively engage and disengage the clutch so as to intermittently stop rotation of the first cam means while permitting continuous rotation of the second cam means.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, an appliance such as a laundry dryer and a timing mechanism 12 are shown as being connected across a suitable power source 11. The laundry dryer includes a tumbling drum 13 which is driven by a suitable drive means such as a motor 14. In practice, timing mechanism 12 would be included as part of the laundry dryer l0. Timing mechanism 12 includes a timer motor 16 such as a synchronous motor, to which are coupled a first cam means 18 and a second cam means 20. Although not shown, the motor could include a buzzer means, which would be periodically energized. Both sets of cam means are carried on a cam carrying shaft 22. The first cam means, which includes timer cams and 17, is coupled to the motor output pinion 36 through a first gear train 24 which is selectively engaged to the cam means through clutch means 26. Second cam means 20 includes a pulser cam which is directly connected to the motor output pinion 36 through a second gear train 28. Timer cam 15 also includes an additional cam 15' which actuates the clutch means 16. Likewise pulser cam 25 includes an additional cam 25 which actuates clutch means 26. As will be hereinafter described, the timer cams 18 may be manually rotated independent of gear train 24 through clutch means 30.

The particular system which has been generally described with reference to FIG. I is particularly adaptable in providing a means for energizing drive means 14 to drive drum 13 through a timed fabric treatment cycle of operation which includes a drying portion and an anti-wrinkle portion. As shown in FIG. 1, cam 15 has rotated to a position to open switch 19 at the end of the cool down portion of the permanent press timed cycle. Opening switch 19 breaks the circuit to the machine drive means 14. Immediately thereafter, cam 15 disengages clutch 26 to prevent further rotation of cam carrying shaft 22. As will become apparent with reference to FIG 2, pulser cam 25 will continue to rotate at a predetermined cycle, for example, one revolution every five minutes. During this 5 minute cycle switch 21 will be closed for a predetermined period of time, for example, a ten second period. When switch 21 is closed, it completes a circuit to the drive means 14 and allows the permanent press clothing to tumble. Also during this 5 minute cycle, cam 25' engages clutch 26 to engage timer motor 16 to timer shaft 22 for a predetermined period, for example, a ten second period to step the timer cams through their timed cycle. Pulser cam 25 continues to cycle for a predetermined period of time, for example, for two and one half hours, after which 5 minutes of accumulative on time of the timer shaft 22 has expired at which time switch 23 responsive to cam 17 will open thus breaking the circuit to drive means 14 and timer motor 16 to end the antiwrinkle control. Thus, under the system just described, the anti-wrinkle portion of the timed fabric treatment cycle will not occupy a relatively large angular space on the timer cams.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown clutching means 26, schematically depicted in FIG. 1, in combination with the timer motor the gear trains and the timer and pulser cams of the timing mechanism 12. Clutch means 26 includes a gear 32 fixedly carried on an axially displaceable pin 34. Gear 32 engages output pinion 36 of motor 16. Pin 34 is axially displaced in response to actuator means 38. Actuator means 38 includes ramp means 40 fixedly carried by a pivotable post 42, post 42 being pivoted through cam followers 44 and 46 which are responsive to cam 25 and cam 15' respectively. Pin 34 is axially spring biased through coil spring 48 to move up and down ramp surfaces 40 and 40" when post 42 is pivoted. Coil spring 48 surrounds pin 34 and is disposed between gear 32 and motor 16. Post 42 is angularly spring biased through spring 50 to return the post 42 back to its original position from which it was pivoted.

Gear train 28 continually connects motor 16 to pulser cam- 25. Pulser cam 25 is independently rotatably carried on shaft 22 through gear 52. Cam 25 is carried by cam 25 and thus is also freely rotatable about the shaft 22. Timer cams 15 and 17 are fixedly coupled to the shaft 22 as is cam 15. Thus cams l5, l5 and 17 rotate in accordance with the rotation of shaft 22, shaft 22 being rotated when gear train 24 is in engagement with clutch 26. Gear train 24 is'connected to the shaft through gear 54 and clutch means 30, gear 54 being freely rotatable on shaft 22 and engaging pinion 29. Clutch means 30 includes spring 56 fixedly coupled to shaft 22 and frictionally engaging gear 54. When gear train 24 imparts rotation to gear 54, shaft 22 is rotated through the spring 56. When manual rotation is imparted to the shaft 22, the load of gear train 24 overcomes the frictional engagement between spring 56 and gear 54 to allow spring 56 to rotate free of gear 54.

In operation, gear train 28 is continually engaged with gear 32 regardless of the axial position of the gear. Output pinion 27 of the gear train engages gear 52. Since gear 52 is freely rotatable about shaft 22, it will rotate so long as motor 16 is energized. Since cams 25 and 25' are carried by gear 52 they will also rotate. Assuming clutch 26 to be initially disengaged, cam 25' will bias follower 46 to pivot post 42 to axially move pin 34 through ramp means 40 and thus gear 32 into engagement with gear 58 of gear train 24. Output pinion 29 of the gear train causes rotation of gear 54 and thus shaft 22 and earns 15, I5 and 17. Cam 15', at a predetermined interval, pivots post 42 through follower 44 to disengage or engage clutch 26 with gear train 24. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown the timing mechanism in combination with an appliance such as a laundry dryer and the timing mechanism itself. As shown in FIG. 3, timing mechanism 12 is carried inside laundry dryer 10. Electrical leads L correct the timing mechanism with various elements of the dryer, including motor 14 through leads L, such that the timing mechanism can complete electrical circuits to the elements in accordance with a programmed sequence. Motor 14 drives tumbling drum 13.

Referring to FIG. 4, timing mechanism 12, in general, includes motor 16, gear trains 24 and 28 enclosed in a suitable housing, and cams and switches enclosed in housing H. Housing H includes end plates P and P and sidewalls S and S. Shaft 22 is joumalled for rotation in the end plates. The shaft has opposed flat portions 22' which fixedly carry the cams. In addition to the cams and switches previously described there are also switches 60 which are responsive to cams 62.

What is claimed is:

l. A timer comprising:

a. a motor,

b. a first speed reduction means and a clutch means selectively engaging said first speed reduction means to said motor,

c. a first cam means coupled to said first speed reducing means providing afirst programmed sequence and a first cam coupled to said first cam means, and first switch means responsive to said first cam means,

d. a second speed reducing means coupled to said motor,

e. a second cam means coupled to said second speed reducing means providing a second programmed sequence and a second cam coupled to said second cam means, and second switch means responsive to said second cam means, and

f. an actuator engaging said clutch means and responsive to said first and second cams to selectively engage and disengage said clutch so as to intermittently disengage and engage said first speed reducing means from said motor to intermittently stop rotation of said first cam means while permitting continuous rotation of said second cam means.

2. A timer according to claim 1 wherein said first cam means and said first cam are fixedly carried on a shaft and said second cam means and said second cam are rotatably carried on said shaft.

3. A timer according to claim 1 wherein said clutch includes a gear carried on a pin, said actuator axially displacing said gear, and means axially spring biasing said gear, said gear continuously engaging an output pinion of said motor and a gear of said second speed reduction means, axial movement of said gear selectively engaging a gear of said first speed reduction means.

4. A timer according to claim 3 wherein said gear is fixedly carried on said pin and said actuator engages said pin.

5. A timer according to claim 4 wherein said means spring biasing said gear includes a coil spring surrounding said pin and disposed between said gear and said motor. t

6. a timer according to claim 5 wherein said actuator includes a ramp means carried by a pivotly mounted post, cam followers responsive to said first and second cams so as to angularly displace said post, and means angularly spring biasing said post.

7. ln a laundry dryer having a fabric tumbling drum and a drive means for driving said drum through a timed fabric treatment cycle of operation including a drying portion and an anti-wrinkle portion:

a timer providing sequential operation of said drive means comprising:

a. ,a motor,

b. ifirst cam means responsive to said motor and first means during said anti-wrinkle portion of said timed fabric cycle, and

c. clutch means selectively engaged and disengaged in response to cams of said first and second cam means to selectively couple said first cam means to said motor during said drying portion of said timed fabric treatment cycle and following said drying portion, disengaging said first cam means from said motor, said second cam and switch means intermittently energizing said drive means to intermittently tumble said fabric during said anti-wrinkle portion of said timed fabric cycle, said second cam means further selectively coupling said first cam means to said motor to further energize and de-energize said drive means until completion of said timed fabric treatment cycle.

8. A timer comprising:

a. a motor,

b. a first speed reduction means,

c. a first cam means coupled to said first speed reduction means providing a first programmed sequence and afirst cam coupled to said first cam means, and first switch means responsive to said first cam means,

d. a second speed reducing means coupled to said motor,

e. a second cam means coupled to said second speed reducing means providing a second programmed sequence and a second cam coupled to said second cam means, and second switch means responsive to said second cam means,

f. a clutch selectively engaging said first speed reduction means to said motor comprising a gear continuously engaging an output pinion of said motor and a gear of said second speed reducing means carried by a pin and means axially spring biasing said gear, and

g. actuator means selectively axially displacing said gear comprising a ramp means carried by a pivotly mounted post and responsive to said first and second cams so as to angularly displace said post, and means angularly spring biasing said post,

h. pivoting of said post causing said ramp means to axially displace said pin and said gear so as to en-.

gage said gear with a gear of said first speed reducing means.

9. A timer comprising:

a. a drive means,

b. a shaft,

c. first and second cam means carried by said shaft and independently, rotationally driven by said drive means, and switch means responsive to said first and second cam means, and

d. a clutch engaged and disengaged in response to a cam of each of said first and second cam means, engagment and disengagement of said clutch selectively coupling and decoupling one of said cam means to and from said drive means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO- 3 780 24 0 Dated December 1 8 1 973 Inventor(s)Ri chard W Stafford & Mauri' ce E Schuder It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

C01. 3, h'ne 25, delete "16" and insert ---26---.

C01. 4, line 51 deIete C01. 4, Iine 5, delete and insert'---;---.

C01 6, h'ne '39, after "post" insert ---and engaging said pin, cam follower carried by said post--.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MeCOY M. GIBSON JR. 0. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents TORM po'mso (10459) uscoMM-oc sows-ps9 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969 0-366-334 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION P t 3.780.240 e Dated December 15. 1973 Inventor(s)R'iChard w. Stafford & Maurice E. Schuder It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 3, line 25, delete "l6" and insert ---26--.

Col 4, line 5l delete Col. 4, line 5, delete and insert---;---.

Col 6, line 39, after "post" insert ---ahd engaging said pin, cam fol lower carried by said post---.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: I

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN 'Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents :ORM PC4050 (10'69) uscoMM-oc 60376-P69 U.5v GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 0-356-334 

1. A timer comprising: a. a motor, b. a first speed reduction means and a clutch means selectively engaging said first speed reduction means to said motor, c. a first cam means coupled to said first speed reducing means providing a first programmed sequence and a first cam coupled to said first cam means, and first switch means responsive to said first cam means, d. a second speed reducing means coupled to said motor, e. a second cam means coupled to said second speed reducing means providing a second programmed sequence and a second cam coupled to said second cam means, and second switch means responsive to said second cam means, and f. an actuator engaging said clutch means and responsive to said first and second cams to selectively engage and disengage said clutch so as to intermittently disengage and engage said first speed reducing means from said motor to intermittently stop rotation of said first cam means while permitting continuous rotation of said second cam means.
 2. A timer according to claim 1 wherein said first cam means and said first cam are fixedly carried on a shaft and said second cam means and said second cam are rotatably carried on said shaft.
 3. A timer according to claim 1 wherein said clutch includes a gear carried on a pin, said actuator axially displacing said gear, and means axially spring biasing said geAr, said gear continuously engaging an output pinion of said motor and a gear of said second speed reduction means, axial movement of said gear selectively engaging a gear of said first speed reduction means.
 4. A timer according to claim 3 wherein said gear is fixedly carried on said pin and said actuator engages said pin.
 5. A timer according to claim 4 wherein said means spring biasing said gear includes a coil spring surrounding said pin and disposed between said gear and said motor.
 6. a timer according to claim 5 wherein said actuator includes a ramp means carried by a pivotly mounted post, cam followers responsive to said first and second cams so as to angularly displace said post, and means angularly spring biasing said post.
 7. In a laundry dryer having a fabric tumbling drum and a drive means for driving said drum through a timed fabric treatment cycle of operation including a drying portion and an anti-wrinkle portion: a timer providing sequential operation of said drive means comprising: a. a motor, b. first cam means responsive to said motor and first switch means responsive to said first cam means for actuating said drive means during said drying portion; second cam means responsive to said motor and second switch means responsive to said second cam means for intermittently energizing said drive means during said anti-wrinkle portion of said timed fabric cycle, and c. clutch means selectively engaged and disengaged in response to cams of said first and second cam means to selectively couple said first cam means to said motor during said drying portion of said timed fabric treatment cycle and following said drying portion, disengaging said first cam means from said motor, said second cam and switch means intermittently energizing said drive means to intermittently tumble said fabric during said anti-wrinkle portion of said timed fabric cycle, said second cam means further selectively coupling said first cam means to said motor to further energize and de-energize said drive means until completion of said timed fabric treatment cycle.
 8. A timer comprising: a. a motor, b. a first speed reduction means, c. a first cam means coupled to said first speed reduction means providing a first programmed sequence and a first cam coupled to said first cam means, and first switch means responsive to said first cam means, d. a second speed reducing means coupled to said motor, e. a second cam means coupled to said second speed reducing means providing a second programmed sequence and a second cam coupled to said second cam means, and second switch means responsive to said second cam means, f. a clutch selectively engaging said first speed reduction means to said motor comprising a gear continuously engaging an output pinion of said motor and a gear of said second speed reducing means carried by a pin and means axially spring biasing said gear, and g. actuator means selectively axially displacing said gear comprising a ramp means carried by a pivotly mounted post and responsive to said first and second cams so as to angularly displace said post, and means angularly spring biasing said post, h. pivoting of said post causing said ramp means to axially displace said pin and said gear so as to engage said gear with a gear of said first speed reducing means.
 9. A timer comprising: a. a drive means, b. a shaft, c. first and second cam means carried by said shaft and independently, rotationally driven by said drive means, and switch means responsive to said first and second cam means, and d. a clutch engaged and disengaged in response to a cam of each of said first and second cam means, engagment and disengagement of said clutch selectively coupling and decoupling one of said cam means to and from said drive means. 